transportation

According to the Climate Solutions Accelerator of the Genesee Finger Lakes, 33% of our regional emissions of greenhouse gases are from transportation, making this our largest greenhouse gas contributor. 

So how can we be proactive in helping to lessen our transportation emissions?  To some extent we are dependent on technology and industry for providing new affordable electric vehicles (EVs), and perhaps making improvements in train service, but what can we do rather than just waiting for these developments?

Here are some suggestions:

• Buy/lease an existing EV
  • There are already some affordable EVs available.  Attend an EV show and consult EV owners.
• Support public transportation
  • Use Amtrak for trips when possible.  This can be especially easy for trips to Syracuse, Albany, New York City, Buffalo, and Chicago.  We have taken Amtrak to Schenectady and Philadelphia.  In my opinion, it is more comfortable than driving, since you can get up and walk around, read email, books, or magazines.  You can grab a bite to eat in the dining car.  My wife and I even played cards in the dining car.  Some runs allow you to take a bike on board for a fee.  As with any public transportation, service can be improved if there is patronage.
  • Our local Regional Transit Service has worked hard to provide the best bus service it can, and has invested substantially in electric buses.  I personally try to use the bus when I am able, and I sometimes put my bike on the bus to use when I get to the City.  Granted, the services to some areas are limited, and bus travel typically takes longer than personal car travel.  Granted, the Transit Center is rather mediocre (it seems to have been designed more to limit loitering, rather than to make passengers feel comfortable while awaiting their ride).  But RTS can only do so much with limited patronage.  In particular, there are few suburban patrons (the demographic which accounts for most commuting miles).
  • I have found that bus trips, while longer, can be relaxing, and can provide time to check email, listen to podcasts or audiobooks, and even provide some opportunity for social interaction.  You have to like people to enjoy riding the bus.  With increased patronage, RTS could offer more express buses downtown, more routes, and more frequent runs.
  • RTS has a phone app, which can be used to plan trips, and to pay for trips.
• Travel by bicycle and walking
  • Rochester has made a commitment to creating a bicycle-friendly community in the City’s Master plan.  The City has made some very progressive investments in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure through the “Complete Streets projects,” in partnership with Reconnect Rochester, a local people-friendly transportation advocacy organization.  Some towns have made some commitments in this area, such as Irondequoit and Brighton.  Hopefully the County can partner with Reconnect Rochester to improve Biking and pedestrian experiences.
  • See also the  
• Rideshare
  • It would be helpful if we could find ways to rideshare when we are able.  
• Share shopping tasks with neighbors and friends
  • We can take opportunities to consult neighbors prior to shopping trips, to see if we can pick something up for them, to reduce car trips.  We should also plan our own shopping trips so that fewer trips can be taken.  My wife and I use an app called “Our Groceries” which is basically a shared shopping list that can help us track what we need and what each of us has purchased.

Solutions such as sharing rides and using mass transit may not come easy to us Americans—particularly suburban Americans—who are so culturally conditioned to seek independence, yet this independence comes at a steep environmental cost.  It’s worth noting that some of these solutions provide social enrichment as well as reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Finally, we should support political efforts to improve mass transit, EV use and infrastructure (rebates, charging stations), and bicycling/pedestrian infrastructure.  I do a monthly donation to Reconnect Rochester. By – Daryl Odhner